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Bringing Balance Back to Bonnaroo

By

Jim Fusilli

Updated June 15, 2010 12:01 a.m. ET

Manchester, Tenn.

Though once largely known for presenting jam bands and musicians based in the South, the Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival, now in its ninth year, always booked some veteran rock superstars and mega-acts, too. But the bill this past weekend suggested an imbalance: Performers included Jeff Beck, Jimmy Cliff, John Fogerty and Stevie Wonder—members all of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame—Daryl Hall, Kris Kristofferson, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and John Prine. Bankable names included Jay-Z, the Black...